Code of Federal Regulations Title 47 - Telecommunication
Title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) is titled "Telecommunication." This title contains the comprehensive set of federal laws and regulations in the United States pertaining to all forms of electronic communication, including radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable.
Primary Agencies and Structure:
The vast majority of Title 47 is controlled by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The FCC is an independent U.S. government agency overseen by Congress, and it is the nation's primary authority for communications law, regulation, and technological innovation.
Beyond the FCC, other agencies also contribute to Title 47, reflecting their roles in specific telecommunication aspects:
Chapter I: Federal Communications Commission (FCC) - This is the largest and most detailed part of Title 47, covering virtually all aspects of telecommunications regulation. It's further divided into subchapters and parts:
Subchapter A: General (Parts 0-19):
Part 0: Commission Organization (how the FCC is structured).
Part 1: Practice and Procedure (rules for FCC proceedings, complaints, applications, hearings, environmental review, etc.).
Part 2: Frequency Allocations and Radio Treaty Matters; General Rules and Regulations (the foundational rules for spectrum management, including how frequencies are allocated and used by various services).
Part 4: Disruptions to Communications (reporting requirements for outages).
Part 6 & 7: Access to telecommunications services and equipment by persons with disabilities.
Part 8: Safeguarding and Securing the Internet.
Part 9: 911 Requirements.
Part 11: Emergency Alert System (EAS).
Part 13: Commercial Radio Operators (licensing requirements).
Part 15: Radio Frequency Devices (rules for unlicensed devices like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and common consumer electronics to ensure they don't cause harmful interference).
Part 17: Construction, marking, and lighting of antenna structures (for aviation safety).
Part 18: Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) Equipment (regulations for devices like microwave ovens, medical diathermy equipment, and industrial heaters that use radio frequency energy).
Subchapter B: Common Carrier Services (Parts 20-69):
Regulations for telephone companies and other common carriers, including:
Part 20: Commercial Mobile Radio Services.
Part 22: Public Mobile Services.
Part 51: Interconnection regulations.
Part 54: Universal Service (rules for programs like the Universal Service Fund to ensure affordable telecommunications services in rural areas and for low-income consumers, e.g., Lifeline).
Part 64: Miscellaneous rules related to common carriers (e.g., customer proprietary network information (CPNI), telemarketing and robocall rules).
Part 68: Connection of terminal equipment to the public switched telephone network.
Subchapter C: Broadcast Radio Services (Parts 70-79):
Rules for AM, FM, and TV broadcast stations:
Part 73: Radio Broadcast Services (technical standards, licensing, programming rules for radio and television stations).
Part 74: Broadcast Auxiliary, Low Power TV, and Translator Stations.
Part 76: Cable Television Service.
Part 78: Cable Television Relay Service.
Subchapter D: Safety and Special Radio Services (Parts 80-199):
Regulations for various specialized radio services beyond broadcasting and common carriers:
Part 80: Maritime Services.
Part 87: Aviation Services.
Part 90: Private Land Mobile Radio Services (e.g., public safety, business radio).
Part 95: Personal Radio Services (e.g., Citizens Band (CB) radio, Family Radio Service (FRS), General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS), Multi-Use Radio Service (MURS)).
Part 97: Amateur Radio Service (Ham Radio).
Chapter II: Office of Science and Technology Policy and National Security Council (Parts 200-299):
These chapters address telecommunication matters related to national security, emergency preparedness, and federal government use of spectrum.
Chapter III: National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), Department of Commerce (Parts 300-399):
The NTIA is the President's principal adviser on telecommunications and information policy. While the FCC manages the non-federal spectrum, NTIA manages federal government use of the radio spectrum. Their regulations here often relate to grant programs or specific policy initiatives.
Chapter IV: National Telecommunications and Information Administration, Department of Commerce, and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Department of Transportation (Parts 400-499):
This chapter might cover joint regulations related to telecommunications aspects in transportation, such as vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) or vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication, or emergency communication systems within transportation networks.
Purpose of Title 47 CFR:
The extensive regulations in Title 47 are designed to:
Manage the Radio Spectrum: Efficiently allocate and manage scarce radio spectrum resources to avoid interference and support diverse communication services.
Promote Competition: Foster competition in telecommunications markets.
Ensure Public Safety and National Security: Mandate emergency communication systems (like EAS), regulate public safety radio, and ensure communication resilience.
Protect Consumers: Address issues like robocalls, privacy (e.g., CPNI), and ensure access for people with disabilities.
Provide Universal Access: Support programs that ensure all Americans have access to affordable communications services.
Regulate Content and Conduct: Set standards for broadcasting (e.g., indecency rules, political broadcasting).
Facilitate Innovation: Create a regulatory environment that encourages technological advancement in telecommunications.
How to Access:
You can access Title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations through various official and unofficial sources:
Given the rapid pace of technological change in telecommunications, it's particularly important to consult the e-CFR for the most up-to-date regulations.
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